Doncaster court confirms deep clean after coronavirus outbreak halts cases

Yesterday, an insider at the College Road building – also known as Doncaster Justice Centre North - revealed how cases had been halted and the court shut following a number of staff going down with Covid-19 symptoms.

Now a court spokesman has confirmed the closure of the court last week after 12 staff were reportedly infected.

A HM Courts and Tribunals Service spokesman said: “In line with public health guidance, Doncaster Justice Centre North temporarily closed as a precautionary measure on 21 January after a small number of staff and court users developed Covid symptoms. The building reopened the following day after a deep clean.”

The court was shut after a number of ushers, cleaners and office staff all contracted Covid-19.

The claims were made by an unnamed barrister who was passed information about the outbreak at the building.

Twitter user CrimeGirl, who describes herself in a blog as a ‘barrister who specialises in criminal law, military law, disciplinary and inquests’ tweeted: “Staff at Doncaster Magistrates Court are currently isolating because four ushers have Covid. Two solicitors who regularly attend the court have Covid, one touch cleaner and one member of the office staff also have it.

“As a result most of the staff have been "pinged" and are isolating.”

She said that in total, 12 members of staff had been diagnosed with Covid, along with two Doncaster solicitors who regularly attend hearings at the court but ‘there could be more.’

The court has a number of anti-Covid measures in place within the building.

These include face masks being worn, socially distanced seating areas within waiting areas and court rooms themselves, as well as hand sanitiser points.

In a later tweet she wrote: “Staff do not feel safe. They are scared. They do not want to catch Covid. They feel their pleas have gone ignored and that it is too late.”

Courts across Britain have remained open during the coronavirus pandemic, although the judicial system is facing a massive backlog of cases.